Chandos Scoops Award!

John Wilson and Sinfonia of London triumph at BBC Music Magazine awards

Their acclaimed recording of Korngold's Symphony in F# has won this year's BBC Music Magazine Orchestral award, voted for by the listening public. On hearing the news, John Wilson said "It’s a great thrill to win the BBC Music Magazine award. The Korngold Symphony is a piece I’ve loved for years and have always wanted to record it. My thanks go to the BBC for their support and to the team at Chandos Records. But I couldn’t have done any of this without the terrific players who gave everything they could, every minute of every recording session - it was the privilege of my life to make music with them. From all of us at Sinfonia of London, thank you.’"

Schonberg: Erwartung etc

Gramophone Gala

During the current unprecedented situation, Chandos records will remain open as usual. As many of our staff are now working remotely, we would ask you where possible to submit any queries online here rather than by telephone. CD orders are being despatched on the next working day as normal, but understandably delivery times will vary regionally, and take significantly longer than usual, depending on your location. As of 31st March, we will not be dispatching orders to countries placed ‘on suspension’ by UK’s Royal Mail. We thank you for your understanding, and wish all our customers a healthy outcome!

Reicha 250 Anniversary

Ralph Couzens Interview

Louis Lortie

Louis Lortie’s thirty-year relationship with Chandos Records has produced a catalogue of over 45 recordings, covering repertoire from Mozart to Stravinsky. Current projects include the five Saint-Saëns piano concertos with Edward Gardner, solo piano works by Fauré and the complete works of Chopin.

"... This Alpha Classics recording is set in a marvellous acoustic which is perfect for the energy and expressive range in the performance, which has been captured with detail as well as with plenty of spacious air and atmosphere. Tastes differ and you might prefer a little more elysian restraint when it comes to music of this period, but if you are prepared to engage and go on the fantastic high-octane journey presented by these musicians then you are in for a treat. Whatever else it does and wherever it stands in the current market, this performance certainly lets us in on the reasons for this work’s popularity in its day."

"... This Alpha Classics recording is set in a marvellous acoustic which is perfect for the energy and expressive range in the performance, which has been captured with detail as well as with plenty of spacious air and atmosphere. Tastes differ and you might prefer a little more elysian restraint when it comes to music of this period, but if you are prepared to engage and go on the fantastic high-octane journey presented by these musicians then you are in for a treat. Whatever else it does and wherever it stands in the current market, this performance certainly lets us in on the reasons for this work’s popularity in its day."

Dominy Clements - MusicWeb-International.com - 1 June 2020

"... I enjoyed this disc very much. It’s especially recommendable for Songfest, not least because to the best of my knowledge it’s the only single-disc version currently available and it’s a work that is very well worth getting to know, especially in this fine performance."

"... I enjoyed this disc very much. It’s especially recommendable for Songfest, not least because to the best of my knowledge it’s the only single-disc version currently available and it’s a work that is very well worth getting to know, especially in this fine performance."

John Quinn - MusicWeb-International.com - 1 June 2020

"... In 25 carefully chosen songs we receive a kaleidoscope of disparate moods, styles and messages that hang together remarkably seamlessly. At the same time each song is a valuable gem in its own right, and the playing and singing is overwhelmingly sensitive and expressive. I do urge readers to listen to the cycle from beginning to end without interval for the overall experience. After that: feel free to pick and choose individual numbers, even though I believe many will want to play it all over again from the beginning. Most of all I urge all readers to invest in this disc without delay. You won’t regret the outlay."

"... In 25 carefully chosen songs we receive a kaleidoscope of disparate moods, styles and messages that hang together remarkably seamlessly. At the same time each song is a valuable gem in its own right, and the playing and singing is overwhelmingly sensitive and expressive. I do urge readers to listen to the cycle from beginning to end without interval for the overall experience. After that: feel free to pick and choose individual numbers, even though I believe many will want to play it all over again from the beginning. Most of all I urge all readers to invest in this disc without delay. You won’t regret the outlay."

Goran Forsling - MusicWeb-International.com - 2 June 2020

"... For those who loved Mealor’s Ubi caritas, his best-known work written for the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, this disc will be a welcome addition to their experience. For others coming fresh to the composer’s music, the selection is generous and wide-ranging. Many of the tracks here appear to be first recordings – although I suspect that we will hear more of such works as All wisdom cometh from the Lord, the Jubilate Deo and Blessing. But I suspect also that this disc is not the final recorded word to be said on many of the items here."

"... For those who loved Mealor’s Ubi caritas, his best-known work written for the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, this disc will be a welcome addition to their experience. For others coming fresh to the composer’s music, the selection is generous and wide-ranging. Many of the tracks here appear to be first recordings – although I suspect that we will hear more of such works as All wisdom cometh from the Lord, the Jubilate Deo and Blessing. But I suspect also that this disc is not the final recorded word to be said on many of the items here."

Paul Corfield Godfrey - MusicWeb-International.com - 2 June 2020

“… A fine selection of seventeenth-century ‘court’ songs delivered, in excellent sound, by some impressive musicians.”

“… A fine selection of seventeenth-century ‘court’ songs delivered, in excellent sound, by some impressive musicians.”

Glyn Pursglove - MusicWeb-International.com – 3 June 2020

“… This is another very fine disc of wonderful music, thoughtfully played and cleanly recorded by the Eckerle Duo. I cannot understand why these transcriptions have not been recorded before. They work very well indeed. The fascinating notes and replete with interesting details. The running time is what you would expect of orchestral performances of these two works. I shall be returning to this disc often. Full marks to the Eckerle Piano Duo and to Naxos! I already look forward to the 6th and 7th volumes, hinted at in the notes. I am rather interested to know what will be on them.”

“… This is another very fine disc of wonderful music, thoughtfully played and cleanly recorded by the Eckerle Duo. I cannot understand why these transcriptions have not been recorded before. They work very well indeed. The fascinating notes and replete with interesting details. The running time is what you would expect of orchestral performances of these two works. I shall be returning to this disc often. Full marks to the Eckerle Piano Duo and to Naxos! I already look forward to the 6th and 7th volumes, hinted at in the notes. I am rather interested to know what will be on them.”

Jonathan Welsh – MusicWeb-International.com – 4 June 2020

“… The recording is exemplary with the piano sound beautifully recorded. Vladimir Feltsman supplies the programme .. All in all, this is an extraordinary album which leaves one drained of emotion. It may be an acquired taste but Feltsman’s Schubert demands hearing. I’m looking forward to reviewing the remaining three volumes with eager anticipation.”

“… The recording is exemplary with the piano sound beautifully recorded. Vladimir Feltsman supplies the programme .. All in all, this is an extraordinary album which leaves one drained of emotion. It may be an acquired taste but Feltsman’s Schubert demands hearing. I’m looking forward to reviewing the remaining three volumes with eager anticipation.”

David R Dunsmore – MusicWeb-International.com – 4 June 2020

Recommended

“… I hope I have sufficiently conveyed my admiration for the RSNO’s superb playing on these discs. Much of the credit for this must be attributed to the conductor Eduardo Portal. Given that the recording of these seven big new works took place over a brief four day window last September, fastidious preparation on his part must have been key; the orchestra’s response to what must have been unfamiliar music speaks for itself. The entire package represents a real triumph for the adventurous folk at Signum Records and constitutes a most impressive calling-card for a truly distinctive and talented Spanish composer. Releases like this often fall beneath the radar; I sincerely hope this one bucks that trend.”

Recommended

“… I hope I have sufficiently conveyed my admiration for the RSNO’s superb playing on these discs. Much of the credit for this must be attributed to the conductor Eduardo Portal. Given that the recording of these seven big new works took place over a brief four day window last September, fastidious preparation on his part must have been key; the orchestra’s response to what must have been unfamiliar music speaks for itself. The entire package represents a real triumph for the adventurous folk at Signum Records and constitutes a most impressive calling-card for a truly distinctive and talented Spanish composer. Releases like this often fall beneath the radar; I sincerely hope this one bucks that trend.”

Richard Hanlon – MusicWeb-International.com – 5 June 2020

About Chandos

Chandos Records is one of the world's premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. The company has pioneered the idea of the 'series' and proudly includes series of such composers as Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Parry, Walton, Grainger, Berkeley and Bridge. Renowned for its superb sound quality, Chandos has won many prestigious awards for its natural sound.